Date/Time: Thursday, May 09, 2024 — 15:00-17:30 (CET)
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Moderator
Dr. Chipo Dendere (Assistant Professor of Africana Studies at Wellesley College).
Speakers
“Various Facets of Populist, Authoritarian, and Nationalist Trends in Africa,” by Dr. Henning Melber (Professor, Nordic Africa Institute, Uppsala; Extraordinary Professor at the Department of Political Sciences at the University of Pretoria and the Centre for Gender and Africa Studies at the University of the Free State in Bloemfontein).
“Democratizing Africa: Navigating Populist Trends, Building Trust in Institutions, and Promoting Stability through Inclusive Governance,” by Dr. Nchofua Anita Nyitioseh (Assistant Lecturer, Department of English Law, University of Bertoua, Cameroon).
“Taming the Lion: On the Conditions of Possibility of a Progressive Populism in Sub-Saharan Africa,” by Dr. Sergiu Mișcoiu (Professor of Political Science, Director of the Centre for International Cooperation Babeș-Bolyai University).
“Populism and The Challenges of Democratic Governance in Africa,” by Dr. Edouard Epiphane Yogo (Executive Director and Principal Researcher at the Bureau of Strategic Studies (BESTRAT), University of Yaoundé II, Cameroon).
“Populism Discourse and the Proliferation of Hate during Elections in Central African Sub-region,” by Dr. Derick Fai Kinang (University of Buea, Cameroon).
“The Protection of Female Rights and the Rise of Populism in African Democracies: A Need for a Reformed Society,” by Dr. Ama-Ambo Chefor (Senior Lecturer, Department of English Law, University of Dschang, Cameroon).
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Brief Biographies and Abstracts
Dr. Chipo Dendere is a Zimbabwean born scholar of political science. She studies factors that influence party survival and democratization in the developing world. As an Assistant Professor of Africana Studies, Wellesley College, Wellesley, MA, she teaches Political Sciences classes on African Politics and Democratization in the Developing World.
She completed my Bachelor of Science Degrees in Political Science and Psychology at Linfield College, OR. She earned her Ph.D. in Political Science, 2015 at Georgia State University under the supervision of Dr. Daniel Young. Her doctoral dissertation and subsequent book manuscript is on the impact of voter exit (via emigration or withdrawal from politics) on the survival of dominant parties. For this work, she interviewed 300 Zimbabweans in four countries. Her new research is on the relationship between African politics and social media in all its varieties.
Various Facets of Populist, Authoritarian, and Nationalist Trends in Africa
Dr. Henning Melber came to Namibia as a son of German immigrants in 1967, where he joined the anti-colonial movement SWAPO in 1974. He was Director of The Namibian Economic Policy Research Unit in Windhoek, Research Director of the Nordic Africa Institute and Director of the Dag Hammarskjöld Foundation, both in Uppsala/Sweden. He is an Extraordinary Professor at the Department of Political Sciences/University of Pretoria and the Centre for Gender and Africa Studies/University of the Free State in Bloemfontein and a Senior Research Fellow at the Institute of Commonwealth Studies at the University of London.
He is a trained journalist, studied at the Freie Universität Berlin, and obtained a PhD in Political Sciences (1980) and Sociology (Habilitation in Development Studies 1992) at the University of Bremen.
His latest books include Understanding Namibia: The Trials of Independence (London: Hurst 2014, also Oxford University Press and Jacana), Dag Hammarskjöld, The United Nations and the Decolonisation of Africa (London: Hurst 2019, also Oxford University Press), and (with Reinhart Kößler) Völkermord – und was dann? Die Politik deutsch-namibischer Vergangenheitsbearbeitung (Frankfurt/Main: Brandes & Apsel, 2017).
He is editor of Deutschland und Afrika – Anatomie eines komplexen Verhältnisses (Frankfurt/Main: Brandes & Apsel 2019) and (with Wolfgang Geiger) Kritik des deutschen Kolonialismus – Postkoloniale Sicht auf Erinnerung und Geschichtsvermittlung (Frankfurt/Main: Brandes & Apsel 2021).
Democratizing Africa: Navigating Populist Trends, Building Trust in Institutions, and Promoting Stability through Inclusive Governance
Dr. Nchofua Anita Nyitioseh is a lecturer at the University of Bertoua, within the Faculty of Law and Political Science, specifically in the Department of English Law. Additionally, she holds a part-time position at the University Institute of Leaders Douala and the Institute Supérieur Informatique et Gestion (ISIG), where she contributes to the Department of Transport and Logistics. Recently, she participated in a research writing workshop organized by the Merian Institute for Advanced Studies in Africa, College of Humanities at the University of Ghana.
Nchofua is also a jurist and corporate law specialist, with expertise in Alternative Dispute Resolution Mechanisms under OHADA Law. She earned her PhD in Directors’ Duties and the Protection of Stakeholders under OHADA and English Corporate Law from the University of Dschang, Faculty of Law and Political Science, Department of English Law. Her academic journey includes completing a Master’s and Bachelor’s degree in Law from the same institution.
Furthermore, Nchofua is actively engaged in research, focusing on various aspects such as Alternative Dispute Resolution, Consumer Protection, Green Energy Transition, and climate change in Africa, particularly in Cameroon.
Abstract: In recent years, Africa has witnessed a surge in populist movements, challenging established political norms and institutions. This paper explores the diverse trends of populism across the continent, examining their causes, manifestations, and implications for democracy and governance. Against this backdrop, the importance of democratic institutions in fostering political stability and facilitating constructive change is reiterated. Despite significant progress in democratization efforts, suspicion and mistrust of political systems persist in many African societies. This paper delves into the underlying factors contributing to such sentiments, including historical legacies, socio-economic inequalities, and governance failure.
Moreover, insecurity and instability continue to plague African nations, posing formidable challenges to peace, development, and democratic consolidation. Various manifestations of insecurity, ranging from armed conflict to terrorism and organized crime, underscore the urgent need for comprehensive and sustainable solutions. Against this backdrop, the paper proposes a set of policy recommendations aimed at enhancing democracy and strengthening democratic institutions and processes in Africa. Central to these recommendations is the promotion of inclusive governance mechanisms that prioritize citizen participation, accountability, and transparency. Strengthening the rule of law, protecting human rights, and combating corruption are identified as critical components of efforts to build trust in political systems and foster social cohesion.
Furthermore, investing in conflict prevention, peace building, and post-conflict reconstruction is essential for addressing the root causes of insecurity and promoting long-term stability.
The paper also underscores the importance of regional cooperation and collaboration in advancing democratic governance agendas across Africa. Regional institutions such as the African Union (AU) and sub-regional organizations play a pivotal role in promoting democratic norms, facilitating dialogue, and mediating conflicts. Leveraging their collective strengths and resources can enhance the effectiveness of democratization efforts and promote synergy in addressing common challenges.
In conclusion, democratizing Africa requires a multifaceted approach that addresses the complex interplay of populist dynamics, institutional weaknesses, and security threats. By embracing inclusive governance, strengthening democratic institutions, and fostering regional cooperation, African nations can chart a path towards sustainable development, peace, and prosperity. The policy recommendations outlined in this paper aim to provide actionable strategies for policymakers, civil society actors, and international partners committed to advancing democracy and stability on the continent.
Keywords: Democratizing, Africa, populist trends, building trust, governance.
Taming the Lion: On the Conditions of Possibility of a Progressive Populism in Sub-Saharan Africa
Dr. Sergiu Mișcoiu is a Romanian researcher and Professor of Political Science at the Faculty of European Studies, Babeș-Bolyai University in Cluj-Napoca. He also serves as the Director of the Center on International Cooperation and the Director of the Centre for African Studies (Cestaf) at Babeș-Bolyai University. Additionally, he is a permanent member of the Political Studies Institute at the University of Paris-Est (LIPHA), where he has been a PhD tutor since 2010 and an associate professor since 2007. Over the course of his career, he has authored four books, edited or co-edited 20 volumes, and contributed chapters to 61 collective volumes and 56 scientific articles. Dr. Mișcoiu holds a PhD in Political Science from the University of Paris-East Marne-la-Vallée, another PhD in History from Babes-Bolyai University, and a habilitation in Political Science from the University of Paris-East. He has served as a guest professor at several universities, including those in Nantes and Bordeaux (France), Warwick (UK), Bogota (Colombia), Marrakesh (Morocco), Yaoundé (Cameroon), Dakar (Senegal), and Abomey-Calavi (Benin), where he co-founded the country’s first PhD School in Political Science in 2017. He has received numerous awards for his academic achievements, including the Paris Thesis Prize in 2007, the Annual Research Prize of UBB in 2015 and 2020, and the Ordre des Palmes académiques from the French Government in 2012.
Abstract: If following Ernesto Laclau, Chantal Mouffe or Jacques Rancière we believe that the essence of politics is the fundamental and insurmountable disagreement about the values to be enforced in society, we should accept that populism is based on an essentialized construction of the collective identity of the people that it opposes to a denounced elitist establishment, as the latter has supposedly no common measure with the first. Consequently, populism targets radical change and the instauration of a better new order.
In Sub-Saharan Africa, populism has been historically equivalated with the contestation of the neocolonial elite-based regimes by parties, movements and platforms claiming the achievement of a full national popular sovereignty. However, these populist movements have been themselves deeply affected by the autocratic or totalitarian penchant of their leaders, impregnated by the adoption of the USSR-inspired Marxism-Leninism and/or of the reactionary identitarian ethnocentricity, the latter trend being much more salient than the first after the failed wave of democratization of the early 1990s.
Under these circumstances, it is legitimate to ask ourselves if a progressive (emancipatory, liberal-democratic and universalist) populism is possible in Sub-Saharan Africa. What would be its articulatory form and discursive content? Where would its main proponents emerge from? And what would be its public? I will try to formulate some inevitably partial answers to these questions based on a qualitative field research consisting in 89 interviews and two focus-groups organized with Sub-Saharan African citizens.
Populism and The Challenges of Democratic Governance in Africa
Dr. Edouard Epiphane Yogo is a political scientist specializing in international relations and strategic studies at the University of Yaoundé II. He also teaches at military academies in Cameroon, including the War School, the Staff College in Yaoundé, the Gendarmerie Officers’ School, and the Center for Advanced Techniques in Law Enforcement (CPTMO). With ten scholarly books and over thirty scientific articles to his name, Dr. Yogo is a prominent scholar in his field. Through his teaching, research, and extensive consultations with the United Nations system, he is dedicated to enriching academic, military, and international arenas with valuable perspectives and insights into political science and international relations.
Abstract: Populism is increasingly asserting itself as a significant political force in Africa, thereby confronting the fundamental tenets of democratic governance across the region. This study scrutinizes the distinct challenges that populism poses to democratic governance in Africa, shedding light on its ramifications for both political stability and the efficacy of democratic institutions.
This inquiry amalgamates an exhaustive examination of extant literature on populism in Africa with comprehensive case studies conducted in multiple countries within the region. Methodologically, data is garnered from a spectrum of sources, including academic documents, governmental publications, and conducted semi-structured interviews with experts in African political affairs.
The discerned outcomes elucidate that populism in Africa engenders pivotal challenges for democratic governance, encompassing political polarization, the enfeeblement of democratic institutions and the constricting arena for political pluralism and civic engagement. Notably, populist leaders often exploit prevailing social and ethnic schisms to fortify their grip on power, thus impinging upon the legitimacy of democratic processes.
This research emphatically underscores the imperative of fortifying democratic institutions and fostering inclusive dialogue as the panacea to address the multifaceted challenges engendered by populism in Africa. Essential to this endeavor are political and institutional reforms geared towards fostering transparency, accountability, and equitable representation, while concurrently safeguarding the sanctity of fundamental rights and civil liberties.
It concludes that populism emerges as a formidable impediment to democratic governance in Africa, necessitating strategic and concerted responses from political stakeholders, democratic institutions, and civil society cohorts alike. A comprehensive approach is indispensable to fortify the resilience of democratic frameworks vis-à-vis the exigencies posed by populist tendencies, thereby buttressing the legitimacy of political processes throughout the region.
Keywords: Populism, Africa, democratic governance, challenges, implications.
Populist Discourse and the Proliferation of Hate During Elections in Central African Sub-region
Dr. Kinang Derick Fai is a Political Scientist, Jurist, Conflict Resolution Specialist, and Crime Expert specializing in Human Rights and Economic Intelligence with the Cameroon National Council of Crime Experts. He earned his PhD in International Relations and Conflict Resolution from the University of Buea. He is the founder and research lead of several organizations focusing on hate crime and diversity. Since 2020, he has served as the Project Associate for #defyhatenow, an anti-hate speech campaign in Kenya, Uganda, and Sudan. Additionally, he is the Founder of Humanity for Peace Education and Digitalization (HUPED) and a Co-founder of Civic Watch. With a keen interest in Conflict of Diversity, Human Rights Violations, and War Crimes, Dr. Fai works with a dynamic team dedicated to mitigating hate speech, incitement to violence, misinformation, and crime both online and offline.
Abstract: With the different waves of populism experienced by Africa from the colonial era to the advent of multiparty politics in the early 1990s. This period, to date, characterised by the quest to conquer, exercise, and transmit power through elections, has been plagued by a wide spread of hate, a political strategy to conquer power within the electoral market by populist leaders. With examples like Yoweri Museveni speaking volumes, populism discourse espouses with the complicity of the media contributes to the proliferation of hate to change the status quo as they leverage on the people waging a moral battle against elites to achieve set objectives. It is against the backdrop of this existential reality that this study seeks to examine the use of hate rhetoric through the vilification of vulnerable out-groups as a political strategy by populist leaders to conquer power, thus contributing to its proliferation compounded by related social scourges. In this study, we argue hateful communication framing the political class, excluding and categorising them as enemies of the res publica is a political strategy used by populist leaders to conquer power, thus leading to its upsurge. The study argues such practices produce long-term deleterious ramifications responsible for bad governance, destruction of state unity and social cohesion, flaming of hate tendencies and the fuelling of tensions that breed violent armed conflict when they go uncontrolled. This brings to light the need for increased reforms that promote justice and strong institutions, a saint democratic culture and a critical mass that can check the excesses of politicians and make informed choices in times of elections, especially in the Central African Sub-region.
Keywords: Populism discourse, hate, elections.
The Protection of Female Rights and the Rise of Populism in African Democracies: A Need for a Reformed Society
Dr. Ama-Ambo Chefor is a senior lecturer at the University of Dschang, Cameroon, Faculty of Law and Political Science at the Department of English Law. She is a specialist in maritime criminality and security in the Gulf of Guinea. Dr. Chefor obtained her PhD in English Law at the University of Dschang in 2019. She served as the interim Dean at the School of Law and a lecturer at the School of Maritime, Transport and Logistics at the National Polytechnic University of Bamenda, Cameroon, where she dispensed several courses at the postgraduate and the undergraduate school. She supervises theses on maritime-related issues, politics and the rule of law, criminal law, human trafficking, property rights, employment law and international public Law. She published widely on maritime security, politics and the rule of law.
Abstract: The rule of law, and democracy are key components of every society as they make provision for values such as the freedom of expression necessary for a society to function successfully. Considering no society can function without democracy, there is, therefore, the need to protect the law’s fundamental human rights, most especially female rights. Sadly, the rise of populism is not just a major challenge to human rights but a threat to democracy, leading to democratic crises and insecurities ranging from economic to ontological. The risk of populism represents a threat to constitutional democracy and the rule of law. Not only so, but populist governments are also a threat to the international legal order and the authority of international legal agreements. This destabilization can be seen in democratic societies like the United States and within African societies like Cameroon. Consequently, women experience a violation of their human rights such as the right to freedom of expression. There is, therefore, the need to reform the democratic values of society just as it has been respected in every protected democracy in every state of law
Keywords: Populism, democracy; rule of law, female rights.
